Turquoise has been a highly popular semi-precious gem to many societies from the Egyptians to the Aztecs since ancient times. Turquoise is a very porous material, so heat, light, oils, and chemicals can have a negative effect on the stones color and luster. Turquoise is most popular in southwestern fashions. Use turquoise beads with sterling silver beads and charms, and heishi shells.

The sky's the limit for design possibilities using these fun brightly hued beads! These bold beads make a fabulous economical substitute for Turquoise, and perfectly compliment fresh Summery styles. Magnesite or Magnesium Carbonate is a highly porous, low luster stone which makes it a great candidate for enhancement and dying. It can be difficult to distinguish Magnesite from both dolomite and serpentine; both are also very suitable stones for enhancement and often marketed as faux jade. Magnesite can be dyed into a broad spectrum of bold colors, and is often enhanced to resemble Turquoise, it is sometimes known as lime Turquoise, white Turquoise, or marshmallow Turquoise. Native American cultures have crafted Magnesite into beads for both jewelry and currency for hundreds of years.